OU football signing day live updates: Recent signings and recruiting rankings

NORMAN Oklahoma University finalized its 2026 football recruiting class Wednesday, officially signing all 24 of its committed players during the NCAAs early signing period. The early signing period has grown into the primary signing window, as many top recruits now choose December over February to lock in their college destinations.

This years Sooners class features standout talents including four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley, running back Jonathan Hatton Jr., and edge rusher Jake Kreul. Recruiting sites currently place Oklahomas class between 14th and 16th nationally.

2026 OU Football Signing Class

• Bowe Bentley, QB, Celina High School (Celina, Texas)
  Ranked among the top five quarterbacks and top 50 overall, Bentley committed to OU over LSU. As a junior, he amassed 4,200 total yards and 63 touchdowns. His commitment followed Jaden ONeals decommitment by less than 24 hours.
• James Carrington, DL, Crean Lutheran (Irvine, California)
  Carrington, nicknamed Tank, joined OU after decommitting from Florida State. He also had offers from Georgia, Oregon, and USC and is one of two interior defensive linemen in the class.
• Markel Ford, S, Horn High School (Mesquite, Texas)
  OU flipped Ford from SMU on Nov. 26. An under-the-radar safety, he visited during the Sooners win over Missouri and is one of two safeties in the class.
• Beau Jandreau, LB, Hamilton High School (Chandler, Arizona)
  Beau committed to join his twin brother Niko at OU, selecting the Sooners over Oregon and Texas. The Jandreau twins strengthen OUs defensive depth, adding to other brother duos on the roster.
• Niko Jandreau, S, Hamilton High School (Chandler, Arizona)
  Niko chose OU over Missouri, USC, and Washington in May, marking the Sooners first commitment in nearly four months.
• Derrick Johnson, CB, Murrieta Valley High School (Murrieta, California)
  Johnson selected OU over TCU, UCLA, and Washington. A track standout, he posted personal bests of 11.12 in the 100m, 22.40 in the 200m, and 51.82 in the 400m. His father, Derrick Johnson Sr., played at Washington and was a 2005 NFL draft pick.
• Matthew Nelson, EDGE, Bryant High School (Bryant, Arkansas)
  Nelson chose OU over Mississippi State and Missouri. He also participates in track and wrestling.
• Daniel Odom, WR, St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower, California)
  Odom committed after attending OUs Junior Day, picking the Sooners over Oregon and Texas.
• Jayden Petit, WR, St. John Neumann High School (Naples, Florida)
  Petit decommitted from Wisconsin before joining OU, visiting the campus during the Ole Miss game.
• Tyler Ruxer, TE, Heritage Hills High School (Lincoln City, Indiana)
  Ruxer selected OU over Duke and West Virginia, joining a tight end unit that needs reinforcements.
• Deacon Schmitt, IOL, Windsor High School (Windsor, Colorado)
  A key recruit for offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, Schmitt chose OU over Alabama and Colorado after visiting Norman.
• Noah Best, IOL, Midlothian High School (Midlothian, Texas)
  Best committed to OU over Kansas State and Missouri, helping lead Midlothian to the second round of the Texas 5A playoffs.
• DeZephen Walker, RB, Raymore-Peculiar High School (Raymore, Missouri)
  Walker picked OU over Nebraska and Notre Dame.
• Daniel Norman, EDGE, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
  Norman committed to OU over Colorado, Miami, and UCLA, recording 31 tackles, seven sacks, and contributing to Floridas 5A state championship team.
• Trace Rudd, K, Blue Valley Northwest High School (Overland Park, Kansas)
  Rudd, ranked No. 27 nationally among kickers, joined OU on June 21.
• Ryder Mix, TE, Lone Star High School (Frisco, Texas)
  Mix committed to OU over Ohio State and Texas A&M, addressing a position of need for the Sooners.
• Jonathan Hatton Jr., RB, Steele High School (Cibolo, Texas)
  Hatton, a top-10 running back prospect, flipped back to OU after briefly committing to Texas A&M. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.
• Kristan Moore, LB, Selma High School (Selma, Alabama)
  An under-the-radar recruit, Moore lacks an ESPN recruiting profile but is regarded as a high-ceiling linebacker.
• Zizi Okwufulueze, WR, Rejoice Christian School (Owasso, Oklahoma)
  OUs only in-state signee, Okwufulueze committed after visiting for the season opener.
• Jake Kreul, EDGE, IMG Academy (Orlando, Florida)
  Kreul announced his OU commitment over Texas on a national sports show. He also considered Florida, Miami, Ole Miss, Ohio State, and Penn State.
• Jahsiear Rogers, WR, Appoquinimink High School (Bear, Delaware)
  Rogers flipped from Penn State after its coaching change, choosing OU over Alabama, Indiana, and Nebraska.
• Brian Harris, DL, Creekside High School (Jacksonville, Florida)
  Harris, highly recruited, committed to OU over Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina. He was named defensive line MVP at the Under Armour Next camp.
• Dane Bathurst, EDGE, Carmel High School (Carmel, Indiana)
  Bathurst, originally from Florida, played his senior season in Indiana and chose OU over Purdue and Vanderbilt.
• Jacob Curry, LB, Nease High School (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)
  Curry was the first 2026 Sooner signee, committing after OUs win over Auburn. He helped Nease finish undefeated with 101 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and multiple other defensive stats.

Analysis: Oklahoma's 2026 Recruiting Class

The Oklahoma University football program completed its 2026 recruiting class with 24 signees, solidifying key positions across offense and defense. The early signing period has increasingly become the decisive window for top recruits, and Oklahoma leveraged it effectively to secure several high-profile athletes.

Quarterback Bowe Bentley stands out as a major addition, joining over LSU and ranking among the top five quarterbacks nationally. Running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. and edge rusher Jake Kreul also strengthen positions of need. The class balances high-profile recruits with under-the-radar talents like Kristan Moore, providing depth and potential for long-term development.

Defensively, the Jandreau twins, along with other linebackers and linemen such as James Carrington and Brian Harris, enhance Oklahoma’s depth and flexibility. Offensively, key linemen Deacon Schmitt and Noah Best address important gaps, while wide receivers like Daniel Odom and Jahsiear Rogers add speed and versatility.

Nationally, recruiting sites rank this class between 14th and 16th, reflecting a combination of talent, positional balance, and strategic flips from other programs. With this group, Oklahoma is positioned to maintain competitiveness and continue developing players for both immediate impact and future seasons.

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• OU football signing day live updates: Latest signing news, recruiting rankings